Label incorporating security features

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to labels and in particular to a label which can be used for security applications, such as an authentication certificate, means of identification or the like, as proof of the authenticity or origin of an article to which it is adhered. The label ( 10 ) comprises a substrate, having first ( 12 ) and second opposing surfaces ( 13 ) and comprising first ( 15 ) and second sections ( 16 ), an adhesive applied to the second surface of the first section for adhering the label, in use, to an article. At least one security feature is incorporated in or on at least one of said first and second sections. The security feature is concealed when the second section is adhered in a non-viewing position, and is revealed when the second section is lifted into a viewing position.

The invention relates to labels and in particular to a label which canbe used for security applications, such as an authenticationcertificate, means of identification or the like, as proof of theauthenticity or origin of an article to which it is adhered.

Articles such as CD's, CD-ROM's and DVD's, as well as documents of valueand means of identification, such as banknotes, passports,identification cards, certificates and the like, are vulnerable tocopying or counterfeiting. The increasing popularity of colourphotocopiers, electronic scanning and other imaging systems, and theimproving technical, quality of colour photocopiers, has led to anincrease in the counterfeiting of such documentation and articles. Thereis, therefore, a need to improve the security features of such items toadd additional security features or to enhance the perceptions andresistance of simulation to existing features.

Steps have already been taken to introduce optically variable featuresinto labels which are applied to such articles and documentation toprovide an indication of the authenticity of the goods or documents, andto provide a tamper-indicator. Such labels, for example as described inEP-A-0 773 527, cannot be reproduced by a photocopier or an electronicscanner due to the watermark incorporated in the labels. However, thereis a demand to introduce labels which include further security featureswhich are still discernible by the naked eye but are “invisible” to, orviewed differently by, a photocopier or scanner, whilst stillmaintaining the small size of the label. Since the photocopying processtypically involves reflecting high energy light on an original documentcontaining the image to be copied, one solution is to incorporate one ormore features into the label which have a different perception inreflected and transmitted light. Some examples of such security featuresinclude watermarks, embedded security threads, fluorescent pigments andthe like.

Unfortunately, for labels containing these security features the abilityto inspect the labels in both reflected and transmitted light isnecessary to identify the differences. These types of features havetherefore not been considered to be suitable for applications where onlyone side of the label can be viewed in reflected light, e.g. on a labelstuck to another article.

A further problem lies in the fact that for many security applications,the security labels must be small, which means that not much space isavailable for printed information and security features. It is an objectof the present invention to overcome or reduce these disadvantages andprovide a label, which can be small in size yet provide sufficient roomfor the necessary branding and/or printed information required by themanufacturer as well as security features which are detectable intransmissive light and/or reflective light such as watermarks, embeddedsecurity threads, fluorescent pigments and the like.

According to the present invention there is therefore provided a labelcomprising a substrate, having first and second opposing surfaces andcomprising first and second sections, an adhesive applied to the secondsurface of the first section for adhering the label, in use, to anarticle, at least one security feature incorporated in or on at leastone of said first and second sections, which security feature isconcealed when the second section is adhered in a non-viewing position,and which is revealed when the second section is lifted into a viewingposition.

Thus a label comprising the flap feature of the present invention haswide-ranging security applications as it can be checked for authenticitybefore application and in-situ by viewing in both transmitted andreflected light and, if watermarks or other tactile features areincluded, also by touch. Labels according to the present inventionprovide a high degree of security because they cannot be accuratelyphotocopied, due to the use of both sides of the label, even if thelabel is removed from the article to which it is attached.

The adhesive which attaches the label to a document or article may berepositionable, or permanent so that attempts to remove the label resultin damage to the label. Suitable adhesives include a water activatedgum, a self-adhesive coating with a protective silicone backing, adouble-sided tape or sheet. The adhesive itself may be ultra violetcurable, pressure sensitive, hot melt, permanent or a repositionableadhesive.

The constituents of the base layer may be natural, synthetic or acombination of natural and synthetic.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described indetail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a label according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side cross sectional elevation of the label shown in FIG.1, on a vertically exaggerated scale;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the label of FIG. 1, in a viewingposition;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a label according to a secondembodiment of the present invention, in a viewing position;

FIG. 5 shows a side cross-sectional elevation of the label of FIG. 4 ina non-viewing position;

FIG. 6 shows a label according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention, in a non-viewing position; and

FIG. 7 shows a label according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention, in a viewing position.

A label 10 is formed from a layer 11 of a substrate, such as paper orplastic, which layer 11 has a first surface 12 and a second opposingsurface 13. The label 10 comprises a first section 15 and a secondsection 16 which are joined along a fold line 14. An adhesive 18 isapplied to the second surface 13 of the first section 15, to enable thelabel 10 to be attached to an article or document.

The adhesive 18 can be any suitable adhesive applied in a variety offorms, including a water activated gum, a self-adhesive coating with aprotective silicone backing, a double-sided tape or sheet. The adhesive18 itself may be ultra violet curable, pressure sensitive, permanent ora repositionable adhesive. The nature of the adhesive compositiondictates the thickness of the layer of adhesive 18.

A second adhesive 17 is also applied to either the first surface 12 ofthe second section 16 or a portion of the first surface 12 of the firstsection 15, to allow the second section 16 to be adhered to, the firstsection 15. The adhesive 17 on the first surface 12 of the secondsection 16 is any suitable repositionable adhesive, such as one of the“Dry Peel” adhesives available from Beardow Adams (RTM).

In a non-viewing position the first and second label sections 15, 16 arefolded along fold line 14 and adhered to each other. The adhesive layer18 secures the closed label to an article or document with the secondsurface 13 of the second (flap) section 16 facing upwards.

The label 10 is also provided with one or more security features 20which are detectable in transmissive light and/or reflective light suchas watermarks, embedded or windowed security threads, fluorescentpigments and the like. Two such features are illustrated in FIG. 3, onebeing a watermark image and the other a windowed security thread.

The security features may be located on the first surface 12 of thefirst section 15, in the region obscured by the second section 16 whenit is folded over, if it is not necessary to view the security featurein transmissive light. If a security feature is to be viewed intransmissive light it is located within, or on either of surfaces 12, 13of the second section 16. Non-transmissive features can also be locatedon the first and/or second surface 12 of the second section 16. Thesefeatures will be concealed when the second section 16 is in itsnon-viewing position. However, when the label 10 is opened, by peelingthe second section.16 away from the first section 15 and lifting it, theconcealed features will be revealed and the second section 16 can beheld in a position whereby it can be viewed in transmissive light, toexamine any transmissive security features therein.

The layer of substrate, 11 may be of paper made using known papermakingmachines, such as a cylinder mould or Fourdrinier machines, or it mayeven be hand-made. A range of fibre types can be used in the making ofsuch paper including synthetic or natural fibres or a mixture of both.

Plastic, substrates can be cast or extruded, as known in the prior artfor similar applications.

The security features 20 are created in a known manner, for example asdisclosed in EP-A-0059 056 (window threads), EP-A-0650 413 (liquidcrystal watermarks), U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,301 (thermochromic thread) orGB 2323 814 (demetallised threads).

A whole variety of security features may be included in the label 10according to the present invention to enhance the security of the label10. For example, a wide range of different types of security thread canbe used, including holographic threads, demetallised threads,demetallised holographic threads, fluorescent threads, thermochromicthreads, coloured/metallised threads, threads with a chip or othermachine-readable element, print see through features, machine-readablethreads, optically variable threads and microprinted threads. Thethreads may be wholly embedded or windowed threads, or may be embeddedin a manner such that a continuous length of the thread is revealed inone surface of the substrate 11.

Other surface features may also be included such as planchette bands,fibre bands, iridescent coatings and transparentising coatings andprint.

Labels 10 according to the present invention are also compatible withmany known forms of printing such as intaglio, flexo-gravure, ink jet,hot foil stamping and so on. The labels 10 may also have a glossy orother finish which is clear or translucent.

Advantageously, the labels 10 may bear a brand name, image or printedinformation on the second surface 13 of the second section 16 which canclearly be seen when the second section 16 is adhered to the firstsection.15 in its non-viewing position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Whenin the viewing position, as shown in FIG. 3, the security features canbe viewed in reflective and/or transmissive light as required.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first and second sections15, 16 are both rectangular in shape, although the first section 15 islarger than the second section 16. However, the first and secondsections 15, 16 could also be of any shape and could both be the samesize.

A second embodiment of the label 10, which comprises first and secondsections 15, 16, is shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment therepositionable adhesive layer 17 is on the second surface 13 of thesecond section 16, which means that in a non-viewing position thesections 15, 16 are not folded about fold line 14, but lie contiguouslyin the same plane, as shown in FIG. 5.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, therepositionable adhesive 17 is applied to the second surface 13 of thesecond section 16. In order to attach the second section 16 to the firstsection 15, an edge 22 of the second section 16 is curved towards thefold 14 such that the second surface 13 of the second section 16 is incontact with the first surface 12 of the first-section 15.

The label 10 may also be provided with a plurality of liftable sections21, in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, asshown in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, three liftable sections 21 areprovided which each hinge about the first section 15 about a fold line14. In this embodiment, a different security feature 20 may be providedin each liftable section 21, although equally the same security feature20 could be used for each liftable section 21. Alternatively more thanone security feature 20 could appear on one or more of the liftablesections 21. This embodiment is particularly advantageous forapplications which require the label 10 to carry a large amount ofbranding, graphics or other information without the need for a label 10which is as big as the article to which it is applied.

It is envisaged that the thickness of the substrate layer 11 for makinga label 10 according to the present invention will be in the range of50-130 μm, more preferably 80-100 μm, although this range is notlimiting. The substrate from which the label 10 is made does not need tobe particularly thick, and, can be less strong than the paper used forbanknotes or other similar security documentation which must be hardwearing and resilient due to their continuous handling.

For a label, however, this is not a disadvantage as the label 10 issupported by its backing, before application, or by the article ordocument to which it is adhered, after application. Furthermore, in anyattempted removal of such a label 10 from the article to which it isadhered, as light weakness in the paper layer 11 is likely to lead totearing, thus providing a tamper-proof feature. However, the layer 11must be strong enough that lifting the second section 16, particularlyagainst the pulling force of the adhesive layer 17, does not result intearing.

In one specific example of the present invention, the preferred grammageof a paper substrate used as layer 11 is 50-120 gsm, more preferably70-90 gsm, although this range is not limiting.

In a further embodiment of the invention the label 10 has a backingpaper which is used to protect the label before it is applied to anarticle or document. A clear or highly translucent backing may be usedto enable any security feature 20 incorporated in the first section 15of the label 10 to be checked in transmitted as well as reflected lightbefore the backing is removed and before application of the label.However, a non-translucent backing may also be used, which requires theremoval of the backing before the label 10 can be checked prior toapplication.

The substrate layer 11 of the label 10 may be a single or two-ply layer.Two-ply paper, for example), is generally made using two separate vatsof papermaking furnish which produce two substrates which are compressedtogether to form a finished paper.

A two-ply label can also be made according to the present invention inwhich one-ply is of paper and the other is of plastic, such as a clearor a coloured film.

The second section 16 of the label 10 may be removable from the firstsection 15 of the label 10, according to a further embodiment of thepresent invention. The fold line 14 may be perforated to ease separationof the first and second sections 15, 16 or a pull tab along the foldline 14 may be incorporated in the label 10 to separate the twosections.

The labels 10 according to the present invention may have a wide rangeof uses especially as certificates of origin or authentication, and inparticular in fields where counterfeiting of the products to which thelabels 10 are attached is or may be rife, such as high value added orfast moving consumer goods, for example CD's and DVD's.

Although several specific embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed above, the features described may be used in any combination.

1. A label comprising: a substrate having first and second opposingsurfaces and comprising first and second sections; an adhesive appliedto the second surface of the first section for adhering the label, inuse, to an article; at least one security feature incorporated in or onat least one of said first and second sections, which security featureis concealed when the second section is adhered in a non-viewingposition and which is revealed when the second section is lifted into aviewing position.
 2. A label as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least onesecurity feature is incorporated in or on the second section and isvisible in transmissive light when the second section is lifted into aviewing position.
 3. A label as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least onesecurity feature is incorporated in or on the second section and isvisible in reflected light.
 4. A label as claimed in claim 1, wherein atleast one security feature is located on the first and/or secondsurfaces of the second section.
 5. A label as claimed in claim 1,wherein at least one security feature is located on the second surfaceof the first section.
 6. A label as claimed in claim 1, wherein thefirst and second sections hinge about a fold line.
 7. A label as claimedin claim 1, further comprising a second repositionable adhesive appliedto at least a part of one surface of the second section.
 8. A label asclaimed in claim 7, wherein the repositionable adhesive is applied tothe first surface of the second section such that it adheres to thefirst section in the non-viewing position.
 9. A label as claimed inclaim 7 when dependent on claim 1, wherein the repositionable adhesiveis applied to the second surface of the second section such that it canbe adhered in use to an article.
 10. A label as claimed in claim 1,wherein at least one security feature is an elongated security element.11. A label as claimed in claim 10, wherein the security element ispartially or wholly embedded within the substrate.
 12. A label asclaimed in claim 1h, wherein the substrate comprises a plurality ofsecond sections, each of which is liftable from a non-viewing positionto a viewing position.
 13. A label as claimed in claim 1, wherein thesecond section of the label is separable from the first section of thelabel.
 14. A label as claimed in claim 13, wherein separation of thefirst and second sections occurs at the fold line by means ofperforations along the fold line.
 15. (canceled)